A DETAILED report on the impact foot-and-mouth disease has had on the Richmondshire district concludes it has not been all negative.

Not all survived the onslaught of the epidemic - For Sale boards line roads through the dales with farms, hotels and guest houses all on the market.

However, a committee form-ed when the crisis was at its peak will be told this week that fresh initiatives and innovative business ideas are emerging from the ashes.

As a result, there are signs the prospects for the coming summer season are looking bright.

Richmondshire District Council's foot-and-mouth working group will have no illusions as to the severity of the outbreak when members meet on Thursday.

The report points out that half the businesses which rely on tourism in the area have applied for hardship relief grants, including holiday accommodation, shops and village stores, pubs and restaurants, craft workshops, filling stations as well as the more traditional attractions.

The council itself has lost an estimated £7,000 in revenue from its car parks with 16 per cent fewer vehicles using them between April, 2001, and January, 2002. However, the deficit was recouped at the authority's swimming pools and sports centres, which reported a busier year as people stayed away from the countryside.

With the worst now over, a raft of new projects have been conceived to tempt tourists back.

Actress Joan Collins joined a high-profile London launch of the Your Countryside, You're Welcome project on Sunday, while the Yorkshire Tourist Board is actively promoting walking, film locations, stately homes and other attractions across the region.

"With added promotions and special events like the Wensleydale Festival of Food, the signs for the coming season are optimistic,'' said Richmondshire tourism officer Pam Whittaker.

"The foot-and-mouth epidemic has undoubtedly been devastating right across all sectors of the business community within the district.

"However, it has made many businesses take a fresh look at their operations in order to reassess and realign business opportunities.